Chapter 261: Seo-Euns Heart

I cant believe its already getting cooler

After a scorching hot summer, fall was just around the corner but we, the members of Ego Stream, were busy working as usual, with training and competing in power-ups.

.No, were not heroes, were protecting the country

Of course, there were some whiners, like our own Seo Jae-young.

Sitting on a tree with her purple demon fire floating in the air, she said in a languid voice.

Uh-huh. A villain needs land to terrorize to be a villain. Its all part of terrorizing.

Heh. Youre not doing this because of Stardus?

Huh?

Her eyes narrowed and she smiled as she blurted out a joke.

I was just about to make a defense when I realized that I wasnt so much embarrassed as I was stunned.

From the other side of the room, Choi Se-hee walked over, wiping her sweat.

What is it, Seo Jae-young, were you whining again?

I wasnt whining, I was asking reasonable questions

Before Jae-young could say anything, Choi Se-hee chuckled.

Hey, wouldnt it be fun if we could wipe out all the monsters raining down on the earth? Just think, with a wave of my hand, theyd be fried by lightning and swept away

Choi Se-hees hands were crackling with yellow electricity as she spoke and one hand was raised in excitement.

Sure, that would be fun.

And just like that, she said as if she was slightly intrigued.

Then, with a flash of lightning, Choi Se-hee climbed up the tree, grabbed her by the hood, and pulled her to her feet.

So, come on, lets go.

Eh, eh, eh, eh

Da-in, should I take her back?

Uh, hurry up and take me back

After escaping from the training center, Seo Jae-young was caught by Choi Se-hee again and dragged away.

The end of the world scenario for Moonlight Church is just around the corner.

Just as I destroyed Seo-Euns enemies, the HanEun Group, the time has come to destroy Eun-Wols enemies, the Moonlight Church. Thats why we, the members of Ego Stream, are doing everything we can.

Among us, Seo-Eun was the most determined to capture Stardus, and she had already built a destructive weapon by studying mechanical engineering to the limit.

Seo-Eun, what have you been doing?

Da-in!

The white humanoid robots head descended from the cockpit, her short white hair fluttering, and she looked at me as she said so.

When she landed on the ground, she ran toward me.

Look at me, training even on my birthday!

Im proud of you.

Ehehe

As I casually stroked her, she smiled, looked up, and then I dropped it with a surprised gasp.

Hmmm, hmmm. Ill let you have it just this once, with an adult mindset. Im an adult now!

Our Seo-Eun says confidently.

Thats right. As of today, her birthday has passed, and she is now a legal adult.

When I first met her, she was just a kid, and now shes an adult, and I feel a little overwhelmed. It was a mixed feeling, both proud and complicated.

Because in this world, Seo-eun was the first person I ever had a relationship with.

Okay. Seo-eun, if youre done, lets go eat. Youre the star of the show.

Even though Ive been busy lately, its Seo-Euns long-awaited first birthday as an adult, so of course were going to have a big, loud dinner. I helped Soobin cook and most of the food was Seo-euns favorite.

Hehe.

When I first met her, she was cold, hostile and wary but now she could smile and laugh like this.

Seo-Eun and I walked across the large, open research center, just the two of us.

Its only a short distance. Should we just teleport together?

Just as I was thinking that.

Da-in.

Suddenly, Seo-Eun turned to me with a wide smile.

Why?

As I said that, she glanced to the side, still smiling and with her eyes never leaving mine, she opened her mouth.

Its just Im done being a minor, and now that Im an adult, theres something I really want to tell you when were alone like this.

What?

Abouteverything. Thank you for raising me.

She smiles brightly at me as she says it.

I didnt do anything. You grew up on your own.

When I say that with a smirk, Seo-eun replies with an unexpectedly determined expression.

No. If I didnt have youId be a lot different, thats for sure.

She says that with a bitter smile.

For a moment, the original Seo Eun overlapped with her, and I couldnt find the words to say.

As if on cue, Seo-eun smiled again, looked back at me, and continued.

Thank you for being with me, for holding on to me when I was pushing you away, and for going with me to the end. Without you, I probably wouldnt be who I am today.

Seo Eun, as if shes grown up now, confesses what shes been keeping in her heart all this time.

The way she spoke to me with such sincerity made my expression falter for a moment.

.

I look at Seo-eun, who is looking straight at me with her transparent eyes and memories flashed through my mind and for a moment, I was immersed in them.

I, unknowingly. Perhaps for the first time.

I told her my true feelings.

Thank you, too, Seo-Eun.

What?

Actually, before I met you. I was going through a lot myself.

I looked at one wall of the factory and said, Yeah. I was struggling then.

Dropped into this world where I dont know a single person and my powers were crap. The lore sucked and I felt like giving up on the whole thing.

But thenafter meeting you I tried to get to know you to talk to you to help you.

So I forced myself to do something.

The first thing I did was to get to know Seo-Eun.

I tried to convince Seo-eun, who was almost at the top of the difficulty scale from the very beginning, and I got a lot of rebuffs and struggled a lot.

Rather, because I was immersed in the task, I was able to gradually adapt to this world without thinking about anything else.

Gradually, I got to know her better.

We gradually opened our hearts to each other, even though we were shy on the outside.

I dont know how much it comforted me to know that she was secretly looking into my heart and gradually approaching me.

For the first time in my life, I killed a villain. I mean, I killed a person.

When I was in shock and a little depressed, she slowly approached me, genuinely worried about me, and quietly comforted me without saying it, and it was a great comfort.

Its thanks to Seo Eun, who always stood by my side that I can be here today.

Thank you, too.

At my words, Seo-Eun smiled.

So, we appreciate each other, then?

Yeah. Haha.

I feel a little embarrassed after saying that.

Suddenly, I felt like Seo-eun had grown up, and I was too sentimental after hearing her sincere words.

I scratched the back of my head and was about to say, Shall we go now?

Seo-eun grabbed my sleeve as I was about to walk away.

Da-in.

Huh?

After holding on to me for a moment, she turned around and looked up into my eyes with a big smile.

Seo-eun, youre really taller than I thought, to the point where youre almost under my chin.

Just as I was thinking that, she looked up.

She looked troubled for a moment, but then she giggled and said to me,

Never mind, I was going to tell you as soon as I became an adult but I dont want to embarrass you, so Ill tell you later.

What is it?

Nothing. Anyway, just remember this.

She released her grip on my arm and took a step backwards, tilting her upper body towards me as she whispered.

Because no matter what, Ill never give up on youThat Ill always be by your side.

Seo-Eun smiled as she said that, flipping her white short hair back.

She was so much more mature than I remembered and I was at a loss for words.

Anyway, lets go now! My birthday party is upstairs, right?

After she said that, she stuck her tongue out at me and said with an excited expression, walking ahead of me.

.Haha, yeah. Come on, lets go. Were going to be late.

Yes!

Seeing Seo-Eun with such a bright expression, I smiled and followed behind her.

By my side, always

I wonder if Ill be able to stand by Seo-Euns side even in the end.

I swallowed a bitter smile, and took a step forward.

Being gone might be the only way to protect her.

Ill do my best, but I doubt I will be able to stay by her side until the end.

With that thought, I walked home with Seo Eun.

***

Thats how Seo-euns cake-cutting ceremony and coming-of-age birthday came to an end.

Thanks to the fact that she was now an adult and working double time without sleep, the plans were gradually being finalized.

And before that.

.

Now, its time for Stardus final test before the catastrophe.

Terrorizing would continue after the catastrophe, but for now I set out to carry out what would be, perhaps, the last attack of the year.

I stepped outside to terrorize.

****

Stardus!

Yeah. Whats going on?

A giant fiery red dragon has appeared in the skies above Seoul!

Another dragon?

Hearing that, she jumped up from her seat as a thought flashed through her mind.

At the same time.

-Crackle.

The television on the wall in her office turned on and the nostalgic, familiar voice rang out.

[Hello, citizens of the Republic of Korea, its Egostic!]